February 11, 2026 - Numbers 5-8

God gives additional instructions regarding cleanliness, restitution, and adultery before stipulating the “Nazirite Vow” – “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When either a man or a woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD, he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. . . . All the days of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. . . . All the days that he separates himself to the LORD he shall not go near a dead body. . . . All the days of his separation he is holy to the LORD’” (6:1-8).  Three stipulations: no alcohol, no haircut, not near a dead body.  Nazirites were extremely dedicated laypeople; named among them are Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist all of whom were lifelong Nazirites.  Usually, though, a person took the Nazirite vow for only a specific period of time for a specific service or work.  I am reminded of two Bible texts, one, from Solomon:  “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9:10), and one from Jesus:  “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4).  The Nazirite vow, also these verses, remind us that we have today, and we must commit ourselves to serving God faithfully, today, while we can.

Take my life and let it be

consecrated, Lord, to thee.

Take my moments and my days;

let them flow in endless praise,

let them flow in endless praise.

Take my hands . . . my voice . . .

my lips . . . my silver and my gold . . .

my will . . .  . . . my heart

Take my love; my Lord, I pour

at thy feet its treasure store.

Take myself, and I will be

ever, only, all for thee,

ever, only, all for thee.   -- Frances Ridley Havergal (1874)